The Galapagos National Park was officially created in 1959 by the government of Ecuador, marking a decision to protect the archipelago’s unique terrestrial environment. This establishment coincided with the 100th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s seminal work, On the Origin of Species, which was influenced by his observations in the islands. The timing highlighted the global scientific importance of the archipelago and the need to conserve the islands that inspired the theory of evolution by natural selection. The islands, located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are renowned for their high level of endemism, featuring species found nowhere else on Earth.
The 1959 Foundational Decree
The legal foundation for the conservation of the islands was established through an emergency decree issued by the Ecuadorian government in 1959. This decree formally created the Galapagos National Park (Parque Nacional Galápagos), designating it as the country’s first national park. The action was a direct response to growing international concern over the degradation of the islands’ unique ecosystems due to human activities and introduced species.
The initial scope of the park was expansive, covering approximately 97% of the total land area of the archipelago. Only the areas already settled by colonists, along with the military base on Baltra Island, were excluded. This foundational law provided the legal framework to ban the capture of native species, such as giant tortoises and marine iguanas, and established the authority for the park’s future management.
Establishing Early Management and Infrastructure
While the legal decree was issued in 1959, the practical implementation of the park’s management took several years to materialize. The Galapagos National Park Service (GNPS), the operational body responsible for managing and enforcing the park’s regulations, was not fully functional until 1968. The initial team was modest, with the first Superintendent and a small group of park rangers appointed to begin the work of conservation and patrol.
The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) was established the same year the park was created to provide scientific research and advice. The CDF established the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) on Santa Cruz Island in 1964. This research station became the epicenter for scientific investigation and conservation programs, including the captive breeding program for giant tortoises, which began in 1965. The close cooperation between the GNPS and the CDF was essential for developing conservation strategies based on scientific evidence.
Expanding Protection: The Marine Reserve
The original 1959 decree focused solely on the terrestrial ecosystems, but the surrounding ocean required separate legislation. Many endemic species, like the marine iguana and flightless cormorant, depend on both the land and the sea for their survival. An initial, smaller Marine Resources Reserve was established in 1986, but it was later superseded by a much larger protective zone.
The Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) was formally created in 1998 through the Organic Law for the Special Regime for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of Galápagos. This expansion extended the protected area by 40 nautical miles from the islands’ baselines, encompassing 133,000 square kilometers of ocean. The GMR is one of the largest marine reserves globally and protects the diverse underwater environment, sustained by the confluence of three major ocean currents. The establishment of the GMR created a complete land-and-sea protective system.